Student Extern

Job Summary

The student extern provides basic patient care consistent with medical and nursing plan of care for assigned patients under the direct supervision of an RN. The student extern functions under the guidance of multiple Nursing Directors dependent on assigned department. This role will rotate between different nursing departments for well-rounded nursing experience. Departments include Medical-Surgical Unit, Intensive Care Unit, Obstetrics, Emergency Department, Operation Room/Pre-op & Post-op, Outpatient Clinics, and Quality/Infection Control/Utilization Review.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Providing physical assessment under direct supervision from an RN
• Receiving and giving verbal reports on each patient at the start and end of each clinical shift
• Preparing patients for transport to other hospital departments for testing
• Documentation on various electronic health records
• Bathing patients and changing bed linens
• Dressing, positioning, ambulating, and feeding patients
• Answering call lights promptly
• Obtaining and transporting stool and urine specimens
• Accepting and orienting new patients to assigned unit
• Providing individual patient education, in accordance with accepted nursing practice and medical plan of care
• Providing emotional support including offering the Comfort Menu and patient education to patients and families
• Performs specialized functions, including responding to audible and visual cardiac alarms, dressing changes, phlebotomy, and blood glucose monitoring
• Carrying out isolation precautions as required
• Coordinates patient care with other hospital departments, including Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Dietary, Radiology, Laboratory, and Social Services
• Attending mandatory in-services and staff meetings
• Demonstrates clear ownership of workplace and patient safety
• Reports mistakes, near misses, adverse events and quality and safety concerns
• Participates in the development and implementation of safety and quality improvement activities
• Protect patient privacy and maintain confidentiality
• Other duties as may be assigned.

Job Requirements

Education:  High School Diploma or equivalent required.  Must be enrolled in an accredited Nursing School and have completed a nursing fundamentals/assessment class and at least one semester/term of clinicals.  Must be in academic good standing with the nursing program and will be required to provide transcript of grades. Must have and maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Certification/Licensure:  Current CPR certification required.

Experience:  Knowledge of basic nursing principles required.  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required. 

Physical Requirements:  Frequent walking, standing and sitting.  The ability to frequently lift up to 50 lbs alone.  Ability to reach, stoop, bend and use hands to palpate and feel.  Good visual acuity. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.